Dominican Republic
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
- Ban on residence.
Restrictions on entry to Dominican Republic
We are aware of some official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to the Dominican Republic.
According to the US Department of State, some HIV entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of the Dominican Republic.
UNAIDS reports that entry is denied on the basis of HIV status.
The website of the Dominican Republic government states that visa applications require a ‘medical certification that the petitioner does not have any infectious or contagious diseases.’
Restrictions on short-term stay in Dominican Republic
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in the Dominican Republic.
There are restrictions on granting residency to people living with HIV. Medical examinations are required to apply for residency. It is not clear if a positive HIV test results in a permit being denied.
Although the law prohibits the use of HIV testing for employee screening, a country report published by the US Government points out that “Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reported that workers in various industries faced mandatory HIV testing. Sometimes workers were tested without their knowledge or consent. Many job applicants found to have HIV were not hired, and some of those already employed were dismissed from their jobs or denied adequate health care.”
Restrictions on long-term stay in Dominican Republic
The same restrictions apply for long-term stays on people living with HIV in the Dominican Republic.
UNAIDS reports that people living with HIV are denied residency permits.
Treatment access in Dominican Republic
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
The HIV and AIDS Law No. 135-11 of 7 June 2011 establishes under the right to health in Article 4, the right of every person living with HIV to receive treatment. Therefore, antiretroviral treatment in the Dominican Republic has no direct cost to HIV-positive people who require treatment. The Ministry of Health, through the National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA), is responsible for guaranteeing antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV who live in the Dominican Republic.
For treatment information and direction to services, contact ‘Consejo Nacional para el VIH y el SIDA (CONAVIHSIDA)’.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Dominican Republic page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | No |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
Share
If you want to refer to this page when travelling and may not have internet access, you can use your browser to Save or Print this page - how you do it will depend on the device and browser you are using.
This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
